Gainesville pastor on Trump's advisory board 'would do the same for Hillary'

Gainesville Pastor Jentezen Franklin, recently named to Donald Trump's evangelical advisory board says he's not endorsing the GOP nominee, and would do the same for Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton if she asked him.

Author:
Michael King

Published:
12:26 AM EDT July 19, 2016

Updated:
12:26 AM EDT July 19, 2016

GAINESVILLE, GA -- A Gainesville pastor and televangelist has been appointed to Donald Trump's evangelical executive advisory board.

Pastor Jentezen Franklin of the Free Chapel accepted the position advising the presumptive Republican nominee. The board will advise Trump on positions evangelicals would hold in high regard.

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Franklin says that includes the nomination to fill the Supreme Court seat vacated by the death of Justice Antonin Scalia. He says he accepted the position to help people, and he would have done it for any person running for president.

"We are not endorsing him. It was made clear to us that if we serve on this committee that we don't have to endorse him -- and by the way, I would do the same for Hillary if she asked me. I want to be at that table, pro-life, pro-Israel, pro-traditional family," Franklin said on Monday. "None of us are naive who are there. About 25 leaders, and none of us are naive enough to think that it's not about votes. We understand he has us there because he wants to see that evangelical vote go his way. My concern is for our nation, the issues we care about."

Franklin is one of several faith leaders nationwide who will advise Trump.

PHOTOS: Donald Trump

A look at Donald Trump

Donald Trump stands next to one of his three Sikorsky helicopters at New York Port Authority's West 30 Street Heliport in March 1988.

Heavyweight champion Mike Tyson, right, speak at a news conference while adviser Donald Trump looks, after announcing a settlement between Tyson and his manager, Bill Cayton, on July 27, 1988.

Donald Trump, right, waits with his brother Robert for the start of a Casino Control Commission meeting in Atlantic City, N.J., on March 29, 1990. Trump was seeking final approval for the Taj Mahal Casino Resort, one of the world's largest casino complexes.

Donald Trump stands next to a genie lamp as the lights of his Trump Taj Mahal Casino Resort light up the evening sky marking the grand opening of the venture in Atlantic City, N.J., on April 5, 1990.

Donald Trump signs autographs for a crowd prior to the demolition of the old Chicago Sun-Times building on Oct. 28, 2004.

Donald Trump on the set for his show, "The Apprentice" in 2006.

Ann Romney looks on as Donald Trump and Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney shake hands during a news conference held by Trump to endorse Mitt Romney for president on Feb. 2, 2012, in Las Vegas.

Eric F. Trump, Donald Trump and Donald Trump Jr. attend the "Celebrity Apprentice All Stars" Season 13 Press Conference at Jack Studios on October 12, 2012, in New York City.

Donald Trump and Ivanka Trump watch as the ceremonial starter hits to start the first round of the WGC-Cadillac Championship golf tournament at TPC Blue Monster at Trump National Doral on March 5, 2015, in Miami.

Trump delivers the keynote address at the Genesee and Saginaw Republican Party Lincoln Day Event on Aug. 11, 2015, in Birch Run, Mich., his first campaign event since his Republican debate debut.

Trump greets fairgoers while campaigning at the Iowa State Fair on Aug. 15, 2015, in Des Moines.

Trump greets supporters after his rally at Ladd-Peebles Stadium on Aug. 21, 2015, in Mobile, Ala.

Trump fields a question from Univision and Fusion anchor Jorge Ramos during a press conference held before his campaign event at the Grand River Center on Aug. 25, 2015, in Dubuque, Iowa. Earlier in the press conference Trump had Ramos removed from the room.

Trump asks a supporter, Mary Margaret Bannister, check to see whether his hair is real during his speech to supporters at a rally at the TD Convention Center on Aug. 27, 2015, in Greenville, S.C

Trump looks at his signed pledge during a news conference at Trump Tower on Sept. 3, 2015, in which he vowed to support the Republican Party's nominee, whoever it may be.

Trump speaks at a rally organized by Tea Party Patriots on Capitol Hill on Sept. 9, 2015, to oppose the Iran nuclear agreement.

Jimmy Fallon and Trump appear in the "Trump in the Mirror" skit during a taping of "The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon" on Sept. 11, 2015, in New York.

Trump addresses supporters during a campaign rally at the Greater Columbus Convention Center on Nov. 23, 2015, in Columbus, Ohio.

Donald Trump waves to the crowd after participating in a campaign event in Aiken, S.C., on Dec. 12, 2015.

Trump speaks during a campaign stop at Winthrop University on Jan. 8, 2016, in Rock Hill, S.C.

Trump arrives at Muscatine Municipal Airport for a rally at Muscatine High School in Muscatine, Iowa, on Jan. 24, 2016.

Trump walks down the steps after speaking at a caucus site on Feb. 1, 2016, in Clive, Iowa.

Trump greets people as he visits a polling station on Feb. 9, 2016 in Manchester, N.H.

Trump acknowledges cheering supporters celebrating his victory in the South Carolina Republican primary in Spartanburg, S.C., on Feb. 20, 2016.

Trump speaks during a rally on Feb. 23, 2016, in Reno, Nev.

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Donald Trump stands next to one of his three Sikorsky helicopters at New York Port Authority's West 30 Street Heliport in March 1988.

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Heavyweight champion Mike Tyson, right, speak at a news conference while adviser Donald Trump looks, after announcing a settlement between Tyson and his manager, Bill Cayton, on July 27, 1988.

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Donald Trump, right, waits with his brother Robert for the start of a Casino Control Commission meeting in Atlantic City, N.J., on March 29, 1990. Trump was seeking final approval for the Taj Mahal Casino Resort, one of the world's largest casino complexes.

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Donald Trump stands next to a genie lamp as the lights of his Trump Taj Mahal Casino Resort light up the evening sky marking the grand opening of the venture in Atlantic City, N.J., on April 5, 1990.

Donald Trump signs autographs for a crowd prior to the demolition of the old Chicago Sun-Times building on Oct. 28, 2004.

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Donald Trump on the set for his show, "The Apprentice" in 2006.

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Ann Romney looks on as Donald Trump and Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney shake hands during a news conference held by Trump to endorse Mitt Romney for president on Feb. 2, 2012, in Las Vegas.

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Eric F. Trump, Donald Trump and Donald Trump Jr. attend the "Celebrity Apprentice All Stars" Season 13 Press Conference at Jack Studios on October 12, 2012, in New York City.

Donald Trump and Ivanka Trump watch as the ceremonial starter hits to start the first round of the WGC-Cadillac Championship golf tournament at TPC Blue Monster at Trump National Doral on March 5, 2015, in Miami.

Trump delivers the keynote address at the Genesee and Saginaw Republican Party Lincoln Day Event on Aug. 11, 2015, in Birch Run, Mich., his first campaign event since his Republican debate debut.

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Trump greets fairgoers while campaigning at the Iowa State Fair on Aug. 15, 2015, in Des Moines.

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Trump greets supporters after his rally at Ladd-Peebles Stadium on Aug. 21, 2015, in Mobile, Ala.

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Trump fields a question from Univision and Fusion anchor Jorge Ramos during a press conference held before his campaign event at the Grand River Center on Aug. 25, 2015, in Dubuque, Iowa. Earlier in the press conference Trump had Ramos removed from the room.

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Trump asks a supporter, Mary Margaret Bannister, check to see whether his hair is real during his speech to supporters at a rally at the TD Convention Center on Aug. 27, 2015, in Greenville, S.C

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Trump looks at his signed pledge during a news conference at Trump Tower on Sept. 3, 2015, in which he vowed to support the Republican Party's nominee, whoever it may be.

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Trump speaks at a rally organized by Tea Party Patriots on Capitol Hill on Sept. 9, 2015, to oppose the Iran nuclear agreement.

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Jimmy Fallon and Trump appear in the "Trump in the Mirror" skit during a taping of "The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon" on Sept. 11, 2015, in New York.

Trump addresses supporters during a campaign rally at the Greater Columbus Convention Center on Nov. 23, 2015, in Columbus, Ohio.

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Donald Trump waves to the crowd after participating in a campaign event in Aiken, S.C., on Dec. 12, 2015.

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Trump speaks during a campaign stop at Winthrop University on Jan. 8, 2016, in Rock Hill, S.C.

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Trump arrives at Muscatine Municipal Airport for a rally at Muscatine High School in Muscatine, Iowa, on Jan. 24, 2016.

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Trump walks down the steps after speaking at a caucus site on Feb. 1, 2016, in Clive, Iowa.

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Trump greets people as he visits a polling station on Feb. 9, 2016 in Manchester, N.H.

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Trump acknowledges cheering supporters celebrating his victory in the South Carolina Republican primary in Spartanburg, S.C., on Feb. 20, 2016.

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Trump speaks during a rally on Feb. 23, 2016, in Reno, Nev.

PHOTOS: Hillary Clinton

Hillary Clinton on the campaign trail

Clinton meets with local residents at the Jones St. Java House on April 14, 2015, in LeClaire, Iowa.

Clinton arrives at the Iowa Statehouse to meet with Democratic lawmakers on April 15, 2015, in Des Moines, Iowa.

Clinton greets June Whitcomb after a roundtable on April 21, 2015 in Concord, N.H.

Clinton shakes hands with students after speaking at Rancho High School on May 5, 2015 in Las Vegas.

Clinton speaks to members of the media after meeting with small-business owners on May 19, 2015, at the Bike Tech cycling shop in Cedar Falls, Iowa.

Clinton picks out some baked goods as she visits the Main Street Bakery on May 27, 2015, in Columbia, S.C.

Clinton speaks at the Inaugural Barbara Jordan Gold Medallion at Texas Southern University on June 4, 2015, in Houston.

The Clintons hug after her official campaign launch event at the Franklin D. Roosevelt Four Freedoms Park on Roosevelt Island on June 13, 2015, in New York.

Army veteran John Strong demonstrates outside the Elwell Family Food Center at the Iowa State Fairgrounds before Clinton's campaign event on June 14, 2015, in Des Moines.

Clinton speaks to supporters during a rally on June 14, 2015, in Des Moines, Iowa.

Clinton speaks during a forum on early childhood education at the YMCA of Strafford County on June 15, 2015, in Rochester, N.H.

Members of the Californian College Republicans protest against Clinton's fundraising visit outside the Democratic Party offices in Los Angeles on June 19, 2015.

Clinton speaks at the U.S. Conference of Mayors 83rd Annual Meeting in San Francisco on June 20, 2015.

Clinton takes part in a panel discussion during a campaign stop at Christ the King United Church of Christ on June 23, 2015, in Florissant, Mo.

A Secret Service agent watches as Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Rodham Clinton flexes her muscle with Miss Teen New Hampshire Allie Knault, center, and Miss New Hampshire Holly Blanchard, during a parade on July 4, 2015, in Gorham, N.H.

Clinton talks with a supporter after delivering a speech about her proposed economic policies at the New School in New York on July 13, 2015.

Bernie Sanders waits as Clinton returns from a break during the Democratic debate at Saint Anselm College on Dec. 19, 2015, in Manchester, N.H.

Clinton speaks during a campaign stop at the Electric Park Ballroom on Jan. 11, 2016, in Waterloo, Iowa.

Clinton speaks at a campaign rally in North Liberty, Iowa, on Jan. 23, 2016, ahead of the Iowa caucuses.

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Clinton meets with local residents at the Jones St. Java House on April 14, 2015, in LeClaire, Iowa.

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Clinton arrives at the Iowa Statehouse to meet with Democratic lawmakers on April 15, 2015, in Des Moines, Iowa.

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Clinton greets June Whitcomb after a roundtable on April 21, 2015 in Concord, N.H.

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Clinton shakes hands with students after speaking at Rancho High School on May 5, 2015 in Las Vegas.

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Clinton speaks to members of the media after meeting with small-business owners on May 19, 2015, at the Bike Tech cycling shop in Cedar Falls, Iowa.

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Clinton picks out some baked goods as she visits the Main Street Bakery on May 27, 2015, in Columbia, S.C.

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Clinton speaks at the Inaugural Barbara Jordan Gold Medallion at Texas Southern University on June 4, 2015, in Houston.

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The Clintons hug after her official campaign launch event at the Franklin D. Roosevelt Four Freedoms Park on Roosevelt Island on June 13, 2015, in New York.

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Army veteran John Strong demonstrates outside the Elwell Family Food Center at the Iowa State Fairgrounds before Clinton's campaign event on June 14, 2015, in Des Moines.

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Clinton speaks to supporters during a rally on June 14, 2015, in Des Moines, Iowa.

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Clinton speaks during a forum on early childhood education at the YMCA of Strafford County on June 15, 2015, in Rochester, N.H.

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Members of the Californian College Republicans protest against Clinton's fundraising visit outside the Democratic Party offices in Los Angeles on June 19, 2015.

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Clinton speaks at the U.S. Conference of Mayors 83rd Annual Meeting in San Francisco on June 20, 2015.

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Clinton takes part in a panel discussion during a campaign stop at Christ the King United Church of Christ on June 23, 2015, in Florissant, Mo.

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A Secret Service agent watches as Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Rodham Clinton flexes her muscle with Miss Teen New Hampshire Allie Knault, center, and Miss New Hampshire Holly Blanchard, during a parade on July 4, 2015, in Gorham, N.H.

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Clinton talks with a supporter after delivering a speech about her proposed economic policies at the New School in New York on July 13, 2015.